Glass containers are 100 percent recyclable, and recovered glass is used as the majority ingredient in new glass containers.

The national recycling rate for glass containers is just over 25 percent, according to a 2005 study by the EPA.

Americans recycle nearly 13 million glass jars and bottles every day.

The glass container industry has an annual revenue of $5.5. billion, with almost 50 manufacturing plants located throughout the United States.

The typical glass processing facility can recycle up to 20 tons of glass per hour.

Glass containers produced today are 40 percent lighter than when they were produced 20 years ago, making them much easier to recycle now.

Every ton of glass that is recycled results in a ton of raw materials saved to process new glass, including 1,300 pounds of sand, 410 pounds of soda ash and 380 pounds of limestone.

Glass containers come in four different colors: clear, blue, brown and green; glass must be separated by color to ensure that new glass is not created from a mix of colors.

Most recycling programs will only accept glass containers because products such as drinking glasses, lightbulbs, mirrors and Pyrex have been treated with contaminants when manufactured.

A 2005 study by the Beverage Packaging Environmental Council found that 18 percent of glass bottles are consumed at bars or restaurants.

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